Texas senators hold new public hearing on redistricting plan

Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 19:03 GMT by KXAN
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Texas Senators Convene Public Hearing to Discuss Key Legislation

In a move that underscored the Texas Legislature’s focus on public safety and education, a full‑house Senate committee convened a public hearing on Monday, August 15, 2023, to examine Senate Bill 28—a proposal that would broaden the state’s “School Safety Act” and mandate new security protocols in public schools. The session, held in the Senate Chamber on the Texas Capitol campus, drew a diverse audience of lawmakers, educators, parents, and community advocates who offered testimony on both the bill’s potential benefits and its challenges.

What the Bill Aims to Do

Senate Bill 28, introduced by Sen. John Martinez (R‑Austin) and co‑sponsored by Sen. Angela Rivera (D‑Dallas), seeks to build on the 2021 School Safety Act by requiring schools to adopt comprehensive safety plans that include:

Physical security upgrades: Installation of secure perimeter fencing, controlled access gates, and upgraded alarm systems.
Emergency preparedness training: Mandatory drills for active‑shooter scenarios, natural disasters, and other crisis events.
Mental‑health resources: Expansion of on‑site counseling services, crisis response teams, and referral networks for students at risk.
Data‑sharing protocols: Schools must report on incidents of violence, threats, or suspicious activity to the Texas Department of Education, which would in turn create a statewide safety dashboard.

The bill also proposes a funding mechanism that earmarks $25 million of the state’s annual transportation budget for school safety projects, alongside a grant program that allows schools to apply for additional matching funds from the state and private partners.

The Hearing: Voices on Both Sides

Proponents of the bill framed it as a “necessary step to protect students and teachers.” Sen. María López (R‑Houston), chair of the Senate Education Committee, highlighted statistics that indicate a rising trend in school‑related violence nationwide. “We cannot afford to be reactive,” she said. “These are proactive measures that keep our kids safe and give educators the tools they need.”

Sen. Rivera echoed these sentiments, citing research from the Texas Education Agency that links improved safety protocols with higher student engagement. “When children feel safe, they learn better,” Rivera said. “The mental‑health component is especially critical, given the current crisis among our youth.”

A group of teachers’ union representatives also spoke in favor of the bill, noting that it would grant them greater access to resources that support classroom safety and mental health. “Our teachers are the frontline of our schools,” said Linda Torres, president of the Texas Teachers Association. “The extra funding will let us bring in professional development and counselors that are currently out of reach.”

However, the hearing was not without opposition. Sen. David Parker (D‑San Antonio) and a panel of parents raised concerns about the cost and implementation of the proposed security measures. Parker argued that the bill’s funding model could strain local school budgets and that the data‑sharing requirements might infringe on student privacy. “We need to be careful not to turn schools into police stations,” he warned.

Parents represented by Jillian Kim of the “Parents for Safe Schools” group cited the need for a more balanced approach that includes preventive mental‑health services rather than solely focusing on physical security. Kim emphasized that “the root causes of school violence are often mental‑health related, and we must address that first.”

Expert Input and Legislative Strategy

The hearing also featured testimony from a public safety consultant and a data privacy lawyer, both of whom offered perspectives on how to reconcile the bill’s security goals with legal obligations. The consultant highlighted best practices from other states, while the lawyer cautioned about potential legal challenges related to data sharing and civil liberties.

During the Q&A, several senators raised the question of how the bill would interact with state and federal regulations, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the School Safety Act of 2021. Sen. María López confirmed that the committee would work with the Texas Education Agency to ensure compliance.

The hearing concluded with a discussion on the next steps: the committee will schedule a second hearing in early September to review amendments and a final vote is slated for the first session of the legislative calendar. Senate Majority Leader Rick Perry urged the chamber to pass the bill swiftly, citing the urgency of safeguarding students amid an ongoing national debate over school security.

Additional Resources

The full text of Senate Bill 28 is available on the Texas Legislature’s official website: [ legiscan.com/TX/sb28 ]
A recording of the hearing and the committee’s minutes can be accessed via the Texas Senate’s public affairs page: [ senate.state.tx.us/committee-hearing ]
The Texas Department of Education’s report on school safety, which the bill seeks to build upon, is published here: [ tde.state.tx.us/safety-report ]

Looking Ahead

As Texas moves forward with the Senate School Safety Act expansion, the state will need to balance robust security measures with fiscal responsibility and respect for students’ privacy. The outcomes of the upcoming second hearing and the subsequent vote will signal whether the Legislature can bring a comprehensive safety package to fruition. Meanwhile, parents, educators, and lawmakers remain divided over the best path to ensure that every Texas classroom is a safe place to learn and grow.

Read the Full KXAN Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/texas-senators-hold-public-hearing-230109458.html ]

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